Apple-Leased Vans Gathering Maps Info for Shift to In-House Mapping Database

[ateslik]

PLEASE combine the awesome, fast 3D of Flyover with the street-level vantage point of Street View! That sounds like what this is.

Agreed. The worst part of Flyover is the trees. They look like crap and block the road, which is the information you are looking for. Combine street level 3D LIDAR scans with existing overhead LIDAR scans and you have a really compelling immersive mapping environment. 3D overhead views with the ability to remove trees (or make them transparent) so you can see the underlying roads perfectly. Zoom down to street level and smoothly navigate the street without waiting for tiles to load.

The data could also be sold for gaming and filmmaking purposes. High end film companies often require high resolution LIDAR scans of cities so they can destroy them in CG.

Or, while you're driving they can overlay the scan data perfectly on top of the real world view though your heads up display. Augmented reality car navigation.

This is a smart move by Apple. It takes what Google has to the next level. And Apple is ahead this time because they already have the overhead 3D scans.

 

[doelcm82]

Is that a serious question?

Because it's on the peoples nature. Some people enjoy nothing more then moaning and complaining

Don't get me started on people like that!

 

[numlock]

Apple tried that and Google screwed them by withholding turn by turn. Apple is doing the right thing to get into maps and search. They'll maintain control of their own destiny and hurt their biggest competitor in the process. Seems like a no brainer.

so to not get "screwed" (Google branding and Google Latitude integration) by google apple offers users an inferior uninstallable product. this you consider to be the right thing?

the maps app on my original iphone is probably not much worse than the default one on my 5s with regards to my city and apple has been "in control of their own destiny" for 3-4+ years.

i think its disappointing that we as consumers care more about some egotistical power struggle than getting what we pay for and what is advertised.

 

[MentalFloss]

Leased vehicles? Why leased? Apple could 't afford to buy a bunch of cars?

 

[mikeopks]

I think it's interesting that the Apple vans are anonymous and that people are tracking where they are. I saw a similar Microsoft Bing van in my neighborhood last week and it had a big sign on it. I did a quick google search and saw nothing mentioned at all about Microsoft mapping projects.

 

[aukermania]

Yay SAN DIEGO!!!!

 

[BvizioN]

so you dont think people would enjoy a better working app more? or the option to use a better working app as the default one?

It makes f.all any difference to some (or many)
They would still find something to moan. And you know it.

 

[MisterK]

Apple is famously opaque when it comes to the level of effort they're putting into various projects, but I believe mapping to be a big enough deal that I'm sure (read: hoping) they're pouring crazy resources into this. Google is so far ahead and pressing their advantage that I'm not sure it is possible for Apple to catch up, but I don't think that Apple needs to; as long as Apple (at some point) catches up to 2012 Google Maps, I think we're fine. It was around that point that Google Maps got good enough that anything else they add on feels like diminishing returns. We don't need deep sea maps or maps of the lunar surface – Just really accurate walking/driving/transit directions and opening/closing times, and something like Street View (far more useful than flyover). Those things are incredibly hard but it's a function of time, effort, and money. They know the recipe. Let's hope they go for it.

 

[Ciclismo]

I'm in the USA and don't get reliable Apple Maps

I live in Germany and my hit/miss rate is about the same as for Google's service, and I've used it several European countries, including Italy and Ireland.

The only thing I found Google to be better at is finding petrol stations but it's no big help because when I need one, I'm in a car that already has its own navigation system which has an even better list.

 

[MentalFloss]

I live in Germany and my hit/miss rate is about the same as for Google's service, and I've used it several European countries, including Italy and Ireland.

I live in Germany as well, and I have made the same experience. There's some streets close to the center of the city where I live that were newly created a few years ago, and it took Google ages to include them, while Apple had them immediately.

My main problems with Apple maps are not the quality of the maps but the quality of the display. The label placement is just terrible. I have to zoom in or out to find out the name of a street or a town, because for strange reasons, the label was missing in the view that I had chosen. I know that correct labelling of maps is a difficult topic in computer science - but it's a topic that Apple engineers apparently know nothing about whatsoever. They need to hire some people with extensive theoretical knowledge in that area to develop labelling algorithms.

But that Apple maps is the default map doesnt't bother me at all. I think in the last year, it happened to me only once or twice that some app opened Apple maps as the default map.

 

[vvswarup]

so to not get "screwed" (Google branding and Google Latitude integration) by google apple offers users an inferior uninstallable product. this you consider to be the right thing?

the maps app on my original iphone is probably not much worse than the default one on my 5s with regards to my city and apple has been "in control of their own destiny" for 3-4+ years.

i think its disappointing that we as consumers care more about some egotistical power struggle than getting what we pay for and what is advertised.

As a consumer, I know that Apple is willing and able to partner up with companies when it makes sense to do so. It is not out of some egotistical power struggle that Apple is trying to get away from Google.

Before Apple Maps came out, the maps app lacked features that Android users had bee enjoying for a while such as vector-based mapping and turn-by-turn voice directions. Google refused to allow Apple to implement these features unless Apple would give it more access to user data and visible branding within the app.

Yet, as soon as Apple Maps came out and Google got kicked out, it released an App Store version that had all those features from day one. To me, that smacks of Google treating iOS users as second rate. As a consumer, I don't think Apple should entrust a key feature to a company that plays favorites with platforms. That's not going to work in the long run.

 

[palmerc2]

Apple Maps has been put in a folder and I have Google Maps on my home screen. Only time Apple Maps is launched is when it's by accident through the fact it's a default app. Wish I could make Google Maps the default app that integrates into iOS.

 

[SpectatorHere]

So Apple thought their maps app was ready for prime time three years back, and they're only now sending out the mapping cars? Seriously, this is not best described "tirelessly," this pace is anemic.

Competition is good, so I'm glad they haven't completely given up on it, but let's not forget they're sitting atop one the largest hoards of wealth in history. They could have done this years ago had they given much of a care.


What they appear to care about it is making iOS look more like Jony wants it to aesthetically, wasting time on a me too watch gadget so Jony can play at being a fashion designer, and building a ridiculous neo-pentagon spaceship "campus" inspired by some acid flashbacks Jobs dreamed up while he was semi-retired. Oh, and Beats by Dr. Dre, for some reason no one can figure out. This other stuff, like maps, an Apple Car, Apple TV and the rest of it appear just to be minor side ledger expenses--I'm not getting too excited.

 

[richman555]

Large scale web based map applications are difficult to make.

There... I said it. For everyone complaining... go make one.

That being said, I use Apple maps all the time and it works.

There are some features missing compared to Google, like Street View but I am sure it is probably coming.

I rely on Google much less these days and this is good thing!

 

[SpectatorHere]

Apple Maps has been put in a folder and I have Google Maps on my home screen. Only time Apple Maps is launched is when it's by accident through the fact it's a default app. Wish I could make Google Maps the default app that integrates into iOS.

I'm the same, but I'd use Apple maps in a second if it were better, I give no care about brand allegiance.

And I do think Apple is moving towards what you want regarding opening stuff up, offering more choices, etc. This is all good big picture, and maybe even legally to shield themselves from claims of anti-competitive practices, but I don't think Apple can out-Samsung Samsung, or out-Google Google. When I see things like multiple size iPhones and the confusing plethora of options with the dumb new watch, I feel conflicted. It reminds of me Microsoft trying to copy everyone in the early and mid 2000s, and I don't think that sort of thing works out.

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Large scale web based map applications are difficult to make.

There... I said it. For everyone complaining... go make one.

That being said, I use Apple maps all the time and it works.

There are some features missing compared to Google, like Street View but I am sure it is probably coming.

I rely on Google much less these days and this is good thing!

I'm curious why you use an inferior product. Google is stealing all your info, and I get that that isn't desirable, but I'd be pretty certain Apple is doing the same. They're just two different mountains of money hq'd in silicon valley, one of them focused on hardware and the other on software.

 

[trauma62]

All it is for the augmented reality map app that is coming up

 

[AppleScruff1]

I'm the same, but I'd use Apple maps in a second if it were better, I give no care about brand allegiance.

And I do think Apple is moving towards what you want regarding opening stuff up, offering more choices, etc. This is all good big picture, and maybe even legally to shield themselves from claims of anti-competitive practices, but I don't think Apple can out-Samsung Samsung, or out-Google Google. When I see things like multiple size iPhones and the confusing plethora of options with the dumb new watch, I feel conflicted. It reminds of me Microsoft trying to copy everyone in the early and mid 2000s, and I don't think that sort of thing works out.

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I'm curious why you use an inferior product. Google is stealing all your info, and I get that that isn't desirable, but I'd be pretty certain Apple is doing the same. They're just two different mountains of money hq'd in silicon valley, one of them focused on hardware and the other on software.

One is focused on software and one is focused on every aspect of the tech industry in an attempt to dominate all areas, not just specialize in a few.

 

[brsboarder]

Complete waste of resources. Google Maps is perfect and they have been spending much more money for longer than apple making excellent maps and they own waze.

 

[richman555]

I'm curious why you use an inferior product. Google is stealing all your info, and I get that that isn't desirable, but I'd be pretty certain Apple is doing the same. They're just two different mountains of money hq'd in silicon valley, one of them focused on hardware and the other on software.

There are quite a few reasons for this... so I don't want to expand on it too much. Id have to write a book.

You comment on "Google is stealing all your info, and I get that that isn't desirable, but I'd be pretty certain Apple is doing the same" is literally the most defeatist thing I have heard.

How certain are you Apple is doing the same? Are u sure Google and Apple are doing the same things with the data they collect?

All I can do is see these companies for what they are and what they do. What is their core competency and what drives them.

What Apple cares about is making and selling great devices (for money). What Google cares about is information and the control of it (for money). I do agree companies in general are not out there for our common good.

I will give Apple the benefit of the doubt on this issue whereas Google makes no bones about it.

Also I might add, Apple Maps is catching up so I believe it will make my iPhone experience and my OS X experience that much better.

 

[bobob]

I'm curious why you use an inferior product. Google is stealing all your info, and I get that that isn't desirable, but I'd be pretty certain Apple is doing the same.

How certain are you Apple is doing the same? Are u sure Google and Apple are doing the same things with the data they collect?

Apple is very explicit about their privacy policies.

Maps

Other companies try to build a profile about you using a complete history of everywhere you’ve been, usually because they’re targeting you for advertisers. Since our business doesn’t depend on advertising, we have no interest in doing this — and we couldn’t even if we wanted to. You don’t have to sign in to use Maps, and it only knows you by a random identifier that resets itself frequently as you use the app. Maps is also engineered to separate the data about your trips into segments, to keep Apple or anyone else from putting together a complete picture of your travels. Helping you get from Point A to Point B matters a great deal to us, but knowing the history of all your Point A’s and Point B’s doesn’t.

 

[bommai]

My problem with Apple maps is not just the map but intelligence. For example, I asked for directions to a golf course nearby and while it knew where the golf course was it did not know where the entrance was and it took me somewhere else! Also during our long road trip, we relied on Google maps because it has real time traffic assessment and automatic re routing. Also one day I asked Siri to take me to sea world in Orlando and it took me to the airport. I guess it thought I wanted to see world!!!!

 

[gnasher729]

IWhat is the point of wasting billions to create a competitor to Google Maps and all its services? Even in the best case scenario that Apple improves upon Google Maps, Apple Maps will only be used by iPhone users because Apple will not offer it on competitive devices, period.

I think you are severely overestimating the cost. Getting a car with driver and co-pilot probably costs you less than $100,000 a year. So 100 cars cost about 10 million dollars a year.

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Leased vehicles? Why leased? Apple could 't afford to buy a bunch of cars?

Apple will do whatever costs the least amount of money. There is some guy working at Apple who was told "we need 100 cars on the road, maybe for a year, maybe longer, get them at the lowest price", and that guy probably knows what is the cheapest way to get these cars.

 

[GangstaGehard]

My issues with Apple Maps is how you can't scroll around when navigating. Its incredibly useful to me. It's the weirdest thing and one of the significant reasons why I have Google Maps on my homescreen and Apple maps in a folder.

And I am one of the people who really wishes Apple would let us set Google Maps as default. They let you set default apps for other functions, why must they be so anti-consumer by keeping this from us?
There really isn't any good reason for Apple to continue denying us the freedom to set default apps.

And to the people who say things like "take the 5 seconds of your life to copy the address and paste it into Google Maps or switch to Android"
I thought the whole point of smartphones is convenience and accessibility. And I thought one of the mantra's of Apple was "it just works" or "be consumer friendly"/"customer first"

 

[gnasher729]

Meanwhile Google is working hard to make their map even better.

Meanwhile Google is forced to work hard because their maps need improving.

 

[GangstaGehard]

Meanwhile Google is forced to work hard because their maps need improving.

Meanwhile everyone is forced to improve their products because of competition